At 227bhp, the entry-level vRS keeps pace with the alterations recently made to the basic Golf GTI, which will be of interest to the minority of buyers who opted for the petrol variant. Most British owners though picked the diesel variant – and while the 181bhp 2.0-litre TDI remains unchanged, there’s now the choice of twinning it with all-wheel drive for the first time; an option not available to buyers of the mechanically similar Golf GTD.

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Given the Octavia’s sterling reputation for usability, the combination feels a natural fit. Along with it, comes the updates already made familiar as part of the wider revisions: i.e. new infotainment systems with capacitive screens, a raft of new safety systems, the availability of trailer assist and adaptive cruise, and the introduction of more ‘Simply Clever’ features, such as foldable tables on the seatbacks, more power sockets and the always welcome heated steering wheel.

What's it like?

Broadly speaking, and not unexpectedly, the souped-up Octavia is much as it was: big, very amenable, vaguely brawny and scrupulously worthy. The vRS sits 15mm lower than its siblings, but the sacrifice in comfort stipulated by the increased vertical stiffness is modest. Adaptive suspension is standard, and it's quite possible that you might prefer the model’s more purposeful direction change without necessarily coveting its heightened performance.

Frankly, as far as the oil burner is concerned, this is probably the best mindset to approach the vRS with because the model is not (and never has been) enthrallingly fast. Punctual, yes. Hasty even. But not quick by the modern yardstick of hot hatches or even overcooked compact SUVs (a Tiguan powered by VW’s new 236bhp 2.0-litre bi-turbo unit would leave the Octavia standing).

In the dry, for the most part, neither does the four-wheel-drive system which contributes a discernable 85kg to the payload and seemingly not a great deal to a chassis dynamic which has already had its prominent stability bias enhanced by 30mm widening of the rear track. Fortunate for Skoda then that Austria obliged the drivetrain with a three-hour downpour. With the roads at an everglade level of wet its smarts crop up consistently enough: the assuredness in low-speed corners, the supreme tidiness of pull aways, the nonchalance of high-speed overtaking.

As expected, the dependable vibe suits the Octavia well. Its progressive steering is able and accurate enough and what the power source misses in fireworks it counters with responsive, get-me-there urge. Team it with the slick new glass infotainment interface, very decent Alcantara seats, an ergonomically astute dashboard and the sheer roominess of the interior and boot, and the vRS starts to make its customary amount of sense.

Should I buy one?

Skoda has rendered a respectably capable all-weather prospect here; one without many direct rivals. That it is still not especially fast doesn’t mean it won’t be quick enough for those who prefer their performance options to come with a reasonable range attached, and the addition of all-wheel drive does just enough in poor conditions to make its fitment vaguely appealing.

Unless you like to wreck your clutch and transmission in traffic light drag races, I doubt many people would notice this was slower than the petrol. With the four wheel drive and better fuel economy I would say this would be the better option for most people most of the time.